Water Temp Gauge

[DJ]

Looking back through some discussions on fitting a temp sender I think I'm stuck with using the hole that's currently taken by the idiot light.
Re: Water temperature sensor
It's an FB engine number but there's only one hole at the back. The lower thermostat housings had the 3/8” plug & it's used for the heater return hose.
I've seen some wild options on UTube ......... not easy to look at.
Is there a suitable alternative for the idiot light? Any advice appreciated.

[KFH]

Hi Dave  I was faced with the same problem.  When I needed to replace the valve guide seals and put hardened exhaust valve seats I found an FB head to use.  I had an early 60,s non working Smiths temperature gauge.  Sent it to Melbourne to repair and calibrate then installed it where the sender lives and seeing that I had the plug in the front of the head I decided to put the sender there and reconnect connect the idiot light.  I had seriously thought about not using the idiot light.

Keith

[Harv]

a) Drill and tap another hole in the thermostat housing.
b) Buy an SAAS ally fitting from SuperCheap.
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=speco+sender+adaptor&rlz=1C1GGRV_en__751__751&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-6NyLp93YAhWMxrwKHSJTBYkQ_AUICygC&biw=1536&bih=735&dpr=1.25#imgrc=gbeWjQueC48WKM:
It is essentially an ally pipe with a hole tapped in the middle for threaded senders. Cut the top radiator hose, and use two hose clamps and the fitting to rejoin the hose.

Cheers,
Harv

[hsv-001]

As you guys know ,I have a couple of old Vauxhall hotrods with V6 engines . What you may not know is that I run the 4 cylinder petrol Hilux radiators in both . I use a different thermostat, and what I have done to idiot proof my cooling system is to use a in the radiator hose adjustable thermo switch wired to a light up toggle switch [earth] and then to the computer . In this way I can over ride the thermos switch and signal the computer to turn on the thermo fan  , or I can see if the adjustable switch turns on ,or I can see if the original temp sensor turns the fans on . I guess what I am trying to say is if you were to wire your standard idiot light to one of these adjustable switches positioned say, in your radiator hose then you could set it as sensitive[cool] as you like and you would have no need for a temp gauge . The problem with the old idiot light was it tended to turn on too late . Anyway its a thought . 

[Errol62]

That is a clever idea Hayden. How about a blue light for when it’s running cold like on my forrester?
Cheers
Clay


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[DJ]

Thanks for all the tips. I now have a few more options to consider until I need to remove the head & replace it like Keith did.